½­ÄÏÌåÓý

Skip to Main Navigation

PROJECT PROCUREMENT

Select a EDS Sub navigation page selecting option, leaving this page

Procurement Framework

The World Bank's Procurement Framework, launched in July 2016, governs projects financed by Investment Project Financing (IPF). It aims to help Borrowers achieve value-for-money with integrity in delivering sustainable development. The Framework promotes flexibility in tailoring procurement approaches that reflect choice, quality, and value for money in public spending.

The Framework includes mandatory requirements set out in the Regulations, Policy, Directive, and Procedure, governing the procurement of Goods, Works, Non-Consulting Services, and Consulting Services for IPF operations. These documents provide rules and flexibility for Borrowers to design the right market approach, considering specific risks and opportunities.

Supporting the Framework are Standard Procurement Documents (SPDs), Procurement Guidance, tools, and templates. Various translations are provided, with the English version prevailing in case of discrepancies.

The Procurement Framework

The World Bank's Procurement Framework governs projects financed by Investment Project Financing (IPF). The Framework was launched in July 2016. It supports Borrower¡¯s achieve value-for-money with integrity in delivering sustainable development. The Framework promotes flexibility in tailoring procurement approaches that are fit-for-purpose and reflect choice, quality, and value for money in public spending.  

 

Mandatory Documents

The Procurement Framework comprises mandatory requirements set out in the Regulations, Policy, Directive and Procedure. The Regulations govern the procurement of Goods, Works, Non-Consulting Services, and Consulting Services for IPF operations financed in whole, or in part, by the World Bank. The Regulations specify the rules that must be followed, but also provide flexibility for Borrowers to design the right approach to market taking into account country and project specific risks, issues and opportunities.

 

Supporting Documents

The application of the Procurement Framework is supported by a suite of Standard Procurement Documents (SPDs), Procurement Guidance, tools, templates listed below.

 

Translations

Various translations of documents have been provided. Additional translations will be added as they become available.

Prevailing version: In the case of a discrepancy between the English version and a translated version the English version shall prevail.

 

Regulations, Policy, Directive, Procedure

  • Bank Regulations
    Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers
    February 2025: , , 
         Summary of Revisions: , , 

Retired previous versions:

  • September 2023: , , 
        Note:               
  • November 2020: , , , , 
  • August 2018: , , , 
        Note: 
  • November 2017: , , 
  • July 2016: , , , , , ,
    , , , 

  • Bank Policy
    Procurement Policy in Investment Project Financing (IPF) and Other Operational Procurement Matters
    July 2016 , 

  • Bank Directive
    Procurement Directive in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters
    April 2024 

  • Bank Procedure
    Procurement Procedure in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters
    March 2025 

Mandatory Notes

B

  • Beneficial Ownership Disclosures - This requirement is incorporated into relevant SPDs

S

  • Solar Panels ¨C Forced Labor ¨C Bidder Declaration This requirement is in addition to the standard risk mitigation measures reflected in SPDs, and must be included in specific-risk based procurements
    , , , 

2. User Support Material

Bank Guidance and Resources:

AAbnormally Low Bids and Proposals - Procurement Guidance

  • ,
  • Aggregated Procurement ¨C Fact Sheet

B

  • Bank Oversight - Post Review, Independent Procurement Review, and Integrated Fiduciary Reviews - Bank Guidance
  • Borrowers' Guidance  - A Beginner¡¯s Guide for Borrowers - Procurement under World Bank IPF  ¨C Procurement Guidance 

    - Procurement Evaluation Report Template ¨C Templates for the Report and supporting Forms [NEW]

C

 

  • Competitive Dialogue: How to undertake a Competitive Dialogue Procurement Process - Procurement Guidance 
  • Complaints - Procurement-Related Complaints -  Procurement Guidance
    , ,

  • Conflict of Interest - Procurement Guidance - (Template for COI Declaration is listed below)


  • Contract Clauses Implementing Sustainable Procurement ¨C Example Clauses for IPF National Procurements to strengthen ESF requirements


  • Contract Management, General Principles  ¨C Procurement Guidance


  • Contract Management, Practice  ¨C Procurement Guidance

  • Early Market Engagement Fact Sheet


  • Environmental, Labor and Social Protections
    World Bank Environmental & Social Framework (ESF)

    - Contract Clauses Implementing Sustainable Procurement ¨C Example Clauses for IPF National Procurements to strengthen ESF requirements

    - Environmental & Social Framework (ESF) - ESF webpage
    English

    - Gender-Based Violence (GBV) - Contractor Disqualification - GBV webpage
    Webpage

    - Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) - Questions & Answers


    Sustainable Procurement ¨C Procurement Guidance
    Reference Section III, Environmental & Social Framework (ESF)


    - Sustainable Procurement ¨C procurement webpage
    Webpage

    - Solar Panels ¨C  Forced Labor Risk - Bidder Declaration - Mandatory Note


  • Evaluating Bids and Proposals Using Rated Criteria - Procurement Guidance
    , , ,

F

  • Framework Agreements - Procurement Guidance

G

  • Gender-Based Violence (GBV) - Contractor Disqualification - GBV webpage
    Webpage

H

  • HEIS -  Hands-on Expanded Implementation Support  ¨C Bank Guidance 

  • Health ¨C  A Buyer¡¯s Guide to Medical Diagnostic Equipment ¨C Procurement Guidance


  • Health ¨C Engaging an Expert Consultant for Medical Diagnostic Equipment ¨C Procurement Guidance 

N

  • Negotiations and Best and Final Offer - in Procurement of Goods, Works, and Non-consulting Services ¨C Procurement Guidance
     

  • Noncompliance in IPF Operations ¨C Bank Guidance

P

  • Price Benchmarking
    October 2023 [NEW]

  • PPSD Guidance Long Form - Project Procurement Strategy for Development ¨C Procurement Guidance
    February 2025

  • PPSD Guidance Short Form - Project Procurement Strategy for Development ¨C Procurement Guidance
    February 2017 , ,

  • PPP - Public Private Partnerships ¨C Procurement Guidance
    English

  • Procurement Planning - Stages of Procurement - diagram


  • Procurement Planning Flow Chart ¨C example of decision logic

R

  • Rated Criteria - Evaluating Bids and Proposals ¨C Procurement Guidance
    , , ,
  • Rated Criteria ¨C webpage -
     

S

  • Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) - Questions & Answers


  • Situations of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints ¨C Bank Guidance


  • Standard Procurement Documents (SPDs) -  Procurement Guidance ¨C An overview for practitioners


  • Supply Chain Management - Quick Guide


  • Supply Chain Management - Procurement Guidance - An introduction and practical toolset


  • Suppliers' Guidance - Finding business opportunities and winning contracts financed by the World Bank  ¨C Procurement Guidance
    October 2024

  • Suppliers¡¯ Hub -
  • Sustainable Procurement -  Procurement Guidance

  • Sustainable Public Procurement ¨C Procurement webpage
    Webpage

T

  • Thresholds for Procurement Approaches and Methods by Country ¨C Bank Guidance

V

  • Value for Money -  Procurement Guidance 

 

Procurement Tools and Templates:

C

 

  • Conflict of Interest Declaration - Template


  • Contract Clauses Implementing Sustainable Procurement ¨C Example Clauses for IPF National Procurements to strengthen ESF requirements


  • Contract Price Adjustment - Computation Workbook (Excel)

G

  •  General Procurement Notice (GPN) - Template for Projects using the Procurement Regulations

L

  • Letter of Acceptance of World Bank¡¯s Anti-Corruption Guidelines and Sanctions Framework ¨C For use by Bidders, Proposers, Consultants
    , ,

  • Letter of Acceptance of World Bank¡¯s Anti-Corruption Guidelines and Sanctions Framework ¨C For use by Contractors, Suppliers, Consultants
    , , ,
     

P

  • PPSD Template Long Form - Project Procurement Strategy for Development
    September 2024

  • PPSD Template Short Form - Project Procurement Strategy for Development
    September 2024

  • Procurement Evaluation Report Template ¨CTemplates for the Report and supporting Forms [NEW]
    ,

  • Procurement Plan - Textual Part - Template - for Projects using the Procurement Regulations
    ,
  • Procurement Planning - Stages of Procurement diagram


  • Procurement Planning - Flow Chart ¨C example of decision logic

R

  • Request for Expression of Interest (REoI) - Sample format

     

T

  • Textual Part of Procurement Plan - for Projects using the Procurement Regulations
    ,

3. Standard Procurement Documents (SPD)

The World Bank has prepared the Standard Procurement Documents (SPD) below for international competitive procurement. 

If clicking a link below does not download the document, please "right click" on the link and select "open in new tab".

To note: 
See this table for previous versions of SPDs.

 
CONSULTING SERVICES

Request for Proposals - Consulting Services (Supervision)
February 2025 , , [NEW]

Request for Proposals - Consulting Services (Non-supervision)
February 2025 , , [NEW]

Requests for Proposal Framework Agreement - Consulting Services (financial proposals invited at Primary Procurement Stage)
February 2025 , , [NEW]

Requests for Proposal Framework Agreement - Consulting Services (financial proposals invited at Secondary Procurement Stage)
February 2025 , , [NEW]

Request for Expressions of Interest - Framework Agreement (sample format)
July 2023 , ,

EDUCATION (Textbooks) 

Request for Bids - Textbooks and Reading Materials (2 envelope with Rated Criteria)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Bids ¨C Textbooks Off-the-Shelf (2 envelope with Rated Criteria)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW] 

GOODS

Request for Bids - Goods (2 envelope process)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Bids - Goods - Off-The-Shelf Goods Only (2 envelope process)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Bids - Goods Framework Agreement (2 envelope process)
February 2025 , , [NEW]

Request for Bids - Goods Framework Agreement - Off-The-Shelf Goods Only (2 envelope process)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

HEALTH (Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Condoms)

Prequalification Document
July 2023 , ,

Request for Bids
February 2025 , [NEW]

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Initial Selection Document
July 2023 , , 

Request for Proposals Single Stage
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposals Two Stage
February 2025 , ,  [NEW] 

MANAGEMENT SERVICES 

Prequalification Document 
July 2023 , ,   

Request for Bids 
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

NON-CONSULTING SERVICES

Request for Bids
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Bids ¨C Framework Agreement
February 2025 , ,  [NEW] 

 

WORKS 

For procurement process initiated on or after January 1, 2021, under projects assessed as high risk for SEA/SH. Bank¡¯s disqualification mechanism for non-compliance with SEA/SH obligations applies.

 

See more information: World Bank Launches Contractor Disqualification to Strengthen Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Prequalification Document
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Bids (Two-envelope with rated criteria)
February , ,  2025 [NEW]

Design and Build

Initial Selection
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Underground Works

Initial Selection
July 2023  

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Engineering Procurement and Construction/Turnkey

Initial Selection 
July 2023 , ,   

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Design, Build and Operation for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

Initial Selection Document 
July 2023 , ,  

Guidance Note for SPD for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants
July 2023 

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Roads (Output and Performance Based Road Contracts)

Sample Specifications for Output and Performance Based Road Contracts

July 2023 , , 

Request for Bids 
February 2025 , ,   [NEW] 

French Civil Law (French)
Request for Bids 
February 2025  [NEW]

Plant  
Request for Bids (two-envelope with rated criteria)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

WORKS

For Procurement process initiated on or after January 1, 2021 where Bank¡¯s disqualification mechanism for non-compliance with SEA/SH obligations DOES NOT APPLY.

See more information: World Bank Launches Contractor Disqualification to Strengthen Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Prequalification Document
July 2023 , , 

Request for Bids (two-envelope with rated criteria)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Design and Build

Initial Selection
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 , ,   [NEW]

Underground Works

Initial Selection
July 2023  

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Engineering Procurement and Construction/Turnkey

Initial Selection 
July 2023 , ,   

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 , ,  [NEW]

Design, Build and Operation for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants

Guidance Note for SPD for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants
July 2023 

Initial Selection Document 
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Proposal (Single Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Request for Proposal (Two Stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Water Loss Reduction, Performance Based Contracts (two-envelope process)

Guidance Note for SBD for Water Loss Reduction Performance Based Contract
July 2023  

?Request for Bids (two-envelope with Rated Criteria)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Roads (Output and Performance Based Road Contracts)

Sample Specifications for Output and Performance Based Road Contracts
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Bids 
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

French Civil Law (French)
Request for Bids
February 2025 

Small Works 

Request for Bids - (2 envelope process)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

Plant 

Request for Bids (two-envelope with rated criteria)
February 2025  [NEW]

Initial Selection Document
July 2023 , ,  

Request for Proposals (two-stage)
February 2025 ,  [NEW]

?Request for Proposals (single-stage) 
February 2025  [NEW]

 

 

4. UN Agencies - Standard Form Agreements

Standard Forms of Agreement between World Bank Borrowers and UN Agencies

You will find below the updated Standard Form of Agreement (SFA) master template to be used when a Borrower contracts a UN agency for Delivery of Outputs under Investment Project Financing. The SFA template has been updated to clarify that the Bank¡¯s Environmental and Social Framework is the applicable environmental and social policy framework and further responds to feedback on financial reporting, data privacy and protection, and more. An SFA master template for Technical Assistance is being finalized and will be posted as soon as practicable along with an SFA master template for the Procurement of Supplies.

Should you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

 

Standard Form of Agreement for Outputs

  • SFA for Outputs Template
    November 2024 ,

Standard Form of Agreement for Technical Assistance

  • Forthcoming

Standard Form of Agreement for the Procurement of Supplies

  • Forthcoming

The new SFAs included on this site replace prior SFAs with the following UN Agencies:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • International Labor Organization (ILO)
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • United Nations Children¡¯s Fund (UNICEF)
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
  • United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
  • United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO)
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

For use of existing Supplies SFAs with several UN agencies, or for questions on how to work with a UN agency not listed here, please contact the UN Program Team: [email protected]

5. Alternative Procurement Arrangements (APAs)

The use of Alternative Procurement Arrangements (APAs) was approved by the Board of the World Bank in July 2015 as part of the New Procurement Framework.

 

An assessment methodology has been developed and is being tested to assess the legal and regulatory framework, and the capacity and capability of a borrower implementing agency.  It uses as its base the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Developments (OECD) (MAPS).  The assessment methodology has been designed to include an additional Pillar, covering procurement operations and the use of minimum standards.  It also uses an evidence based approach, analyzing procurement data and, gathering the views of the Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSO).

 

See the Draft Guide to the Assessment: ,

 

The principles governing APAs consider whether agency procurement arrangements, including procurement performance and governance, provide assurance that the Bank¡¯s financing will be used for the intended purpose(s), and in accordance with the Bank¡¯s Core Procurement Principles:

 

¡¤       Value for money

¡¤       Economy

¡¤       Efficiency

¡¤       Integrity

¡¤       Fit for purpose

¡¤       Transparency

¡¤       Fairness

6. Training

(April 7, 2017)   

This presentation introduces the new suite of SPDs launched in July 2016. It introduces the new SPD features resulting from the Procurement Regulations and the circumstances in which they are applied. It provides information on:

1.  How the SPDs were developed
2.  Details of the new Request for Proposal SPDs for goods, works and non-consulting services
3.  Key regulatory changes, and how these are reflected in the SPDs, including:


- Eligibility
- Performance Based Specifications
- Value for Money and Rated Criteria
- New Request for Proposal SPDs and Initial Selection
- Best and Final Offer (BAFO) and Negotiations
- Sustainable Procurement
- Abnormally Low Tenders
- Most Advantageous Bid/Proposal
- Notification of Intention to Award
- Standstill Period, Debriefs and Complaints
- Value Engineering

Webinar: Enhancement of ESHS Outcomes Through Procurement ()
The webinar discusses the key ESHS enhancements and how they work in practice (from planning through to contract implementation). These enhancements have been made in order to improve contract performance and outcomes, and achieve better value for money. Enhancements have been made to the following documents:

  • Standard Procurement Documents  (SPDs) applicable for Projects with Concept Notes after July 1, 2016;
  • Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) applicable for Projects with Concept Notes before July 1, 2016; and
  • Standard Request for Proposal (RFP) document in regards to the selection of the supervising engineer of works contracts.
     

Private Sector Webinar: ()
The webinar provides an overview on the types of complaints covered by the Procurement Regulations for Borrowers and the process for review and resolution of these complaints, covering among other topics: how these complaints shall be submitted and handled; general requirements and timelines for filing and resolving the complaints; the application of standstill period; debriefing by the Borrower; and the roles and responsibilities of the private sector, Borrowers and the World Bank in relation to the covered complaints.

 

New Procurement Framework Deep-Dive for IFI Liaisons (April 3, 2018) ()
The seminar provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following topics of the New Procurement Framework:

  • including standstill period, evaluation criteria; abnormally low bids/ proposals; sustainable procurement;  environmental, social, health and social (ESHS) including gender based violence (GBV)/sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) requirements; and consultant services key changes
  • - ensuring the new complaint mechanism is responsive and effective

The seminar also includes a